Kaiya Wynn leaves Lady Vols, says senior day ‘breaking point’

Kaia Wynna reserve guard at Tennessee The women’s basketball team said Tuesday she is leaving the program after hitting what she felt was a “breaking point” on Senior Day last weekend.

The Lady Vols lost to No. 5 in the regular season finale on Sunday Vanderbilt 87-77 at Thompson-Boling Arena. Wynn did not play in the game. She appeared in only nine games this season after missing all of the 2024–25 season due to an Achilles tendon injury. The Tennessee native has spent five years with the program.

“This decision was not made lightly or quickly,” Wynn wrote on social media. “For the past five years I have given my all for Tennessee and not once have I regretted doing so. Obviously, my last two seasons on the team have been less than ideal for a number of reasons, but the one night I was looking forward to the most was Senior Night.

“As someone who has never started a career game, I was expecting to start in my last appearance at Thompson-Boling. Obviously that didn’t happen, and being asked to check off the game with 15 seconds left while losing, was not how I wanted to spend my final moments on my field after five years. While that wasn’t the only reason, it was the breaking point for me. I have immense love and respect for my teammates and this program.” And I wish everyone the best.”

Tennessee and coach Kim Caldwell have not made any announcement regarding Wynn’s departure.

senior center jersey wolfenbergerJoe, who has appeared in 18 games this season, also did not play in Sunday’s game. She transferred to Tennessee this season after playing two years at Arkansas and one year at LSU. Other seniors from Tennessee — Jania Barker, nya robertson And Zee Spearman –All have started multiple games this season, including Sunday.

The Lady Vols are the No. 6 seed heading into this week’s SEC Tournament in Greenville, South Carolina. They will face each other in the second round on Thursday alabama–missouri Winner.

Tennessee (16-12, 8-8) has been struggling since late January, when it was upset at home mississippi state. They have lost nine of their last 11 matches, including the last six. That stretch included a 30-point loss Yukon and program-worst 43-point loss. South Carolina.

After the loss to the Gamecocks, Caldwell said, “We had a lot left in us tonight. … When we’re not comfortable and things don’t go our way, I have a team that will give up on you, and you can’t do that in big games.”